Vesta M. Cruser

Vesta M. Cruser

Virginia Beach - Vesta M. Cruser, 84, of the 842 block of First Colonial Rd., went to be with the Lord on December 24, 2017.

She was a native of Anderson, SC. and was raised by her endearing Aunt Marie Marshall (Sis) and her grandparents Joseph Calhoun Marshall and Marie Prevost. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Calhoun Marshall, Jr., and Vesta Dennett. She was a graduate of King University in Bristol, TN where she met her former husband Lawrence C. Cruser, Jr. of Norfolk, VA. During several summers in college, she received a scholarship to serve on Ecumenical Presbyterian Camps in Europe to help rebuild houses after WWII. This is where she cultivated her passionate love for France and her favorite city, Paris.

Apart from being a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, she was a dedicated educator for the City of Virginia Beach, teaching French at both Frank W. Cox High School and Kellam High School. Upon her retirement, she helped provide daycare for her granddaughters. She traveled extensively with her loving friends and sister, June and volunteered for organizations such as the Samaritan House and the United Methodist Church of Virginia Beach. She spent time writing in her home by the Chesapeake Bay with her companions George (dog) and Chessie (cat). Her dream was to have published her children's stories. In a saying from one of her favorite books, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry sums it best "In one of those stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night. And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend...I shall not leave you."

She was a faithful Christian and was a very active member in Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church until her health no longer permitted. For the past four years she was a resident of First Colonial Inn in Virginia Beach, where she was provided love and caring support from the wonderful staff. Her recent favorite outings were to watch the seagulls over the Lynnhaven Inlet with her friends and family.

Left to cherish her memory: a son, Mark Prevost Cruser; daughter, Julie Katherine Russell and husband, David; son, Lindsay Dennett Cruser; grandchildren, Katheryn Marie Jones and husband, Anthony; Chloe Marie Venner and husband, Matthew; and Alexa Katherine Russell; sister, June Woodhouse; niece, Susan Trzcinski; nephew, Bryan Woodhouse; niece, Allison Heneghan; and cousins, John Marshall and Lyman Marshall.

A memorial service will be held at Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church, 2217 West Great Neck Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at 10 a.m. with reception to follow in the Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church. Condolences may be offered to the family at:

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